On Friday we invited uncle Amauri to have dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. It was his first time there. We had a delicious meal and good conversation.
On Saturday we headed to Woods Cross for Brad’s birthday. Later that day we took Ale to the airport. He’s spending a couple of weeks with his family in Brazil as his dad will soon turn 80.
Our hair dresser canceled the appointment we had scheduled for all the Bellini girls and I was very disappointed. Our hairs need a good, fresh cut ASAP. Look at how long my hair is!!!
After Brad’s birthday party and after taking Ale to the airport we headed to the Brito’s house for a sleepover. The girls had a lot of fun together. I am so happy their friendship is still going strong.
Before coming back home we stopped to have lunch at Olive Garden- our favorite. Ale texted us and he arrived in Brazil safe and sound.
Bianca worked so hard on her state report and state fair. She did everything by herself which is very typical for her. She is independent and creative, and I am so proud of her.
Her state was Arizona and after writing a letter to them she got a package on the mail with a magazine, a map, and postcards of Arizona. She was super excited!
She did absolutely amazing explaining everything she had learned about her assigned state. She came up with a fun game and even made sure to have sweets for those who would stop at her station. I told her I could buy the Arizonan Prickly Pear Cactus Candy but she decided chocolate would be a better option. I do not blame her lol.
Good job baby girl! I love your little brain and your big ideas. You make us proud every day.
On December first Bianca already started getting worried because Twinkle hadn’t come yet. A copule of days later she arrived with a letter explaining the delay. North Pile was caught into a blizzard and all departures were delayed. I am sure there were little girls and boys all around the world as anxious as Bianca for their dear elves arrival.
Twinkle finally arrived with her elf sized suitcase and a beautiful Christmas outfit. She is so darling. We sure missed her and we are all very happy to see her again.
As always she will be watching behaviors and reporting naughtiness to Santa. The girls still need to write their letters to Santa and I’ve already told them if they do it last minute chances are the elves won’t have enough time to get them ready by Christmas eve.
Today we watched the much anticipated Wicked part two which premiered just last week. Because of that it’s been a bit of a hustle to find tickets. Today we woke up early to catch the 8:15 AM session at Cinemark. The girls are home for Thanksgiving break.
We were SO excited to finally watch the second part! When we watched the first movie last year I didn’t know there would be two parts so I was surprised when the movie ended with “to be continued”.
The wait was worth it though. The second movie is really, really good and I might have dropped one tear or two. The girls enjoyed it too. But now we are ready for Zootopia 2.
Bianca still LOVES horses and riding. So we decided to surprise her with English riding lessons. She will be riding at the Melville Stables and she is very excited.
I can already see the difference between western and English riding. The instructor kept the horse's head in the correct position while Bianca rode with a forward, upright posture. It was very interesting to watch.
Unfortunately, the riding had to be cut short because the horse was not feeling well, so Bianca learned about horse care. The stable has volunteering opportunities so I think I will have Bianca volunteer and learn how to care for the horses. Plus, she can get a discounted lesson rate by volunteering. And I know she will love being around the horses.
I just have to make sure she takes her anti allergic medication before she goes. I forgot she gets really bad allergies around horses. But she does not mind one bit.
Sometimes I cannot believe Bianca is in fifth grade. Today she performed Hope of America along with other fifth graders from her school. In 2023 her school decided not to participate in Hope of America with other schools from Utah County at the Marriot Center anymore. The school issued an email explaining the decision:
Dear Parents,
I am writing this letter to let you know that our school will not be participating in the Hope of America Student Showcase held at the Marriott Center each year in May.
For the past 21 years, our school has participated. Last year, we made the decision to continue with Hope of America for 5th grade students. Each year, including last year, our school has been allowed to remain seated after the show until their Parents come and retrieve them from their teacher. Having children wait to be picked up is one way we have had some control of the safety needed. I cannot control what others do but until now I could control what our families will do.
This year, I was told by those in charge of this program that our school will no longer be allowed to remain seated but will have to meet their Parents outside the Marriott Center. With this being the case, I cannot in good conscience have our school participate.
The first year we participated, it was scary and I said then never again if this does not change. I have been able to make it safe for our students up until now. I have always held my stance on this because of concerns for the safety of children.
With all of this being said, we have decided to prepare our own Hope of America program. I hope you can support this decision.
I was sad but I support this decision 100%. I felt so much better having Giovi wait for me on her seat when she participated in Hope of America at Marriot Center. After the show the pick up for other schools was chaotic with so many people everywhere. I would not like have Bianca go through that. It is just not safe!
Anyways, the children's performance was beautiful and touching. They put so much effort in learning and practicing the songs. They sang The Star Spangled Banner, Hope of America, This is America, Thank you Military, Utah- This is the Place, and We Can be a Light. I was very emotional.
Bianca closed the program with a reading part about my favorite song- We Can be a Light (about 3:42 minutes into the video). The lights from the gym were turned off and the kids used flashlights. It was so beautiful!
We Can be a Light
Wherever there is darkness, together we'll bring light
Let's shine on all God's children. Shine with all your might
For those who feel forgotten, who are lost along their way
This light's a new beginning, shine bright it's there to light the way
We can make this light shine brighter by reaching our hand
To the poor and to the needy all throughout this land
Let's combine our lights together into one enormous ray
This light's a new beginning shining bright it's there to light the way
All across America people reaching out their hand
Bring your light and join our chorus
Everyone shine bright throughout this land
We can be light shinning everywhere
All across America showing people that we care
Oh, let your light shine helping other find their way
We can turn the darkness night into to brightest day
We can be a light shining everywhere all across America
Hope of America is by far my favorite program because I do believe our children ARE the hope of America. They are pure and kind.
Seven years ago I wrote a post about advices my 30 year-old self would give my 20 year-old self. After over 10 years the advices haven’t changed- just improved.
We are constantly growing, changing, and improving. I love that. We are all here on this earth to learn and grow until the perfect day when we will return back home.
Advices my 30 year-old self would give my 20 year-old self:
Wear sunscreen
It is okay
Say no more often
Take risks
Save money
Advices my 40 year-old self would give my 30 year-old self:
Keep wearing sunscreen and keep a good skin care routine
It is definitely okay. It will be fine
Keeping saying no when needed
Take SOME risks
Save money BUT do spend money wisely on yourself and on your family. Future is important but life is happening right now as well
After seven years we were back to the Conference Center to watch Luz de las Naciones. The very first time we were there Giovanna was only two.
This year's theme was 'peace that shines'- peace that can only come through our Savior Jesus Christ. The world is getting worse and people's hearts are getting colder. By following the example of Jesus Christ we can be peacemakers and spread kindness our world so desperately needs.
It was a lovely night. You can watch and enjoy the complete show HERE.
Bianca had Halloween parade at school and she decided to be Hermine from Harry Potter again. I think it was perfect since her class theme this year is Hogwarts.
Short after the parade she had a class party. As I always like to do, I volunteered with a game. I bought donuts and the kids played donut on a string. They had so much fun!
Trick-or-treating looked a little different this year. Bianca was not behaving and she ended up missing it. Ale stayed with her at home while Giovi and I joined the Matutes in Lehi as usual. I cried a little for not having Bibi there but sometimes parents have to make hard decisions so our children can learn and grow to be the best version of themselves.
Giovanna was a good sport and trick-or-treated with the younger ones and got lots of candies for herself and her sissy.
I am officially a mother of a 15 year old. It is crazy to me 15 years ago I brought home my first baby. It feels like yesterday. Giovanna has been the light of our lives since she was born. She brings so much happiness into our home with her kindness and gentleness. She is a real life Disney princess.
She had already told me she didn't want a birthday party and she would like to travel instead. We were planning on going to New York and Boston, but I guess I should had planned this trip a year ago because finding flights, hotels, and tickets to famous attractions was HARD. Everything was sold out and flights were doubled the price. And that was my lesson to never plan a trip around school break.
The last straw was the US government shutdown. Because of that many agencies funded by the government were shutting down, such nationals parks and Statue of Liberty in NYC. We didn't want to risk traveling all the way there to not being able to visit the Statue of Liberty.
Unfortunately, it felt like everything was pointing us to stay home. Even the girls were not on their best behavior. So we decided to plan this trip to the near future. But of course I still wanted to do something special for Giovi's 15th birthday. I told her that since she didn't want a party we could just make our traditional Halloween dinner a little bigger this year and invite the Matutes and Britos which she agreed.
We used the clubhouse and I bought black chair covers and table cloths. Then I added gold and burgundy to the decoration. I also bought bleeding taper candles, flowers, and black crows for the tables. Everything turned out so pretty and classy.
I cooked chicken alfredo pasta with yellow and orange peppers, French baguettes, and salad. After dinner everyone shared one word to define Giovi. It was beautiful and very emotional for me. Then we sang happy birthday and ate cake while seeing pictures of baby Giovanna.
I baked and frosted Giovi's cake and it only took me four days lol. But it turned out really good and delicious! The first layer I made vanilla and dulce de leche and the second layer I made chocolate with coconut.
Thank you all for coming, for showing our sweet Giovi your love, and for always being there.
Happy birthday beautiful girl. We love you more than words can express.
